‘I cannot believe it’: Ex-Premier League referee questions Haaland’s winning goal
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has claimed Manchester City’s controversial winner against Manchester United should have been ruled out for Enzo Fernández’s involvement.
Manchester City’s controversial 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford has continued to generate debate, with former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher insisting Erling Haaland’s winning goal should not have stood.
Haaland struck in the 60th minute after Josko Gvardiol’s cross deflected into his path, but the goal initially appeared to be ruled out for offside before VAR intervened.
Although Haaland was ultimately judged to be onside, Gallagher believes the officials failed to properly consider the role of Enzo Fernández, who was in an offside position and attempted to reach the ball before it fell to Haaland.
Gallagher argued that Fernández’s movement could have affected Lisandro Martínez and therefore constituted interference with an opponent under the offside law.
His assessment echoes Michael Carrick’s furious reaction after the match, with the Manchester United manager questioning how VAR could determine that Fernández had not interfered with play.
The Premier League’s explanation, however, was that Fernández did not touch the ball and was not considered to have interfered with an opponent, while Haaland was deemed onside because Patrick Dorgu’s position played him on.
The controversy overshadowed a remarkable result for City, who played with 10 men for more than an hour following Phil Foden’s red card but still held on for victory.
United, meanwhile, struggled to make their numerical advantage count, leaving Carrick with four points from the opening four league matches. City moved to 12 points and remain level with Arsenal at the top of the table on goal difference.
